- In which situations do people generally donate blood?- Who is a healthy donor?- Does a donor need to do anything special before donation?- How long does the donation take?- Does the needle hurt the entire time?- Does the donor suffer from any harmful effects after donating blood donation?- Does a donor need to rest after donating blood?- Can a donor work after donating blood?- What special diet should a donor follow after giving blood?- How long will it take for the body to replenish the donated blood?- How frequently can a donor donate blood?- Do any diseases debar a donor from giving blood?- Are there any other benefits of blood donation?

Q: In which situations do people generally donate blood?A: There are three types of blood donors: -

(1) PROFESSIONAL DONORS - They sell their blood, which is of very poor quality and can transmit very dangerous diseases to the recipient. It is illegal to take blood from any professional donor.

(2) REPLACEMENT DONATION - Healthy relatives and friends of the patient give their blood, of any group, to the blood bank. In exchange, the required number of units in the required blood group is given.

(3) VOLUNTARY DONATION- Here a donor donates blood voluntarily. The blood can be used for any patient even without divulging the identity of the donor. This is the best type of blood donation where a motivated human being gives blood in an act of selfless service.

Q: Who is a healthy donor?A: Any person within the age group of 18 - 60 years with a body weight as minimum 45 kgs, and having hemoglobin content as minimum 12.5 gm%.

Q: Does a donor need to do anything special before donation?A: The donor should eat at regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids.

Q: How long does the donation take?A: The procedure is done by skilled, specially trained technicians and takes three to eight minutes. However, from start to finish (filling form, post donation rest etc) the entire process should take upwards of 35 minutes.

Q: Does the needle hurt the entire time?A: There may be a little sting when the needle is inserted, but there should be no pain during the donation.

Q: Does the donor suffer from any harmful effects after donating blood donation?A: Absolutely not, rather a donor after having given blood voluntarily gets a feeling of great pleasure, peace and bliss. Soon, within a period of 24 - 48 hours, the same amount of new blood gets formed in the body, which helps the donor in many ways. His own body resistance improves, the circulation improves, and he himself feels healthier than before.

Q: Does a donor need to rest after donating blood?A: Yes. The donor needs rest, preferably lying down, so that the amount of blood that has been donated soon gets poured into the circulation from the body pools in a natural way. The donor should take it easy for about 15 - 20 minutes.

Q: Can a donor work after donating blood?A: Of course! Routine work is absolutely fine after the initial rest. Rigorous physical work should be avoided for a few hours.

Q: What special diet should a donor follow after giving blood?A: After resting for a while a donor is given some liquid (fluid) to take. It may be a cup of coffee or milk or fruit juice alongwith a few biscuits or fruit. The donor needs no other special diet. A routine balanced diet is adequate. The donor's blood gets replenished within 24 - 48 hours.

Q: How long will it take for the body to replenish the blood?A: The body replaces blood volume or plasma within 24 hours. Red cells need about four to eight weeks for complete replacement.

Q: How frequently a donor can donate blood?A: Three months time between donations is a very safe interval.

Q: Do any diseases debar a donor from giving blood?A: Yes, if the donor has suffered from any of the under-mentioned diseases: -

Fever: He should not have suffered from fever for the past 15 days.

Jaundice: A donor should not have his blood tested positive for AUSTRALIA ANTIGEN.

Blood transmitted diseases: Like Syphilis, Malaria, Filaria etc. debar a donor from donating blood till he is treated and is free from them.

Drugs: If a donor is taking drugs like Aspirin, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetics, hormones, corticosteroids etc., he is unfit to donate blood.

AIDS. No person having HIV positive can be allowed to donate blood.

Q: Are there any other benefits of blood donation?A: Yes, blood donation is a noble, selfless service! It gives the donor a feeling of joy and contentment. Also this is an expression of love for Mankind, as blood knows no caste, colour, creed, religion or race, country, continent or sex.